More efforts needed to strike better deal for people with albinism

FATMA ABDU

DEPUTY Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Employment and the Disabled), Dr Abdallah Possi.

DEPUTY Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Employment and the Disabled), Dr Abdallah Possi, has said more efforts are needed to maintain equality between people living with albinism (PLWAs) and surrounding societies.

Dr Possi made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday at the ongoing Regional forum for Action on Albinism in Africa, saying violence against people with albinism has declined compared to past years.

“We as Tanzanians are supposed to join hands in addressing attacks and discrimination against people with albinism in the society. The important thing is to educate the society to recognise people with albinism and what they are supposed to be in our community,” Dr Possi said.

Dr Possi pointed out that the government will benefit through forum if some strategies and policies has been improved in order to avoid discrimination of albinism to the society.

For her part, the Founder National Director of the Albinism Society of South Africa, Ms Grace Mazopuko, said people living with albinism in Africa should unite to forge a common voice to tackle attacks and discrimination they faced.

“It is important we (people with albinism) in Africa unite and speak with one voice that will help to avoid discrimination and attacks faced by the group around the continent,” Ms Mazopuko observed.

She said to achieve this, the government should be involved in the implementation of strategies and policy that will help people with albinism to be considerable as other people in the society. Ms Mazipuko noted that people with albinism in South Africa, especially women and girls, were supported by the government to start their own business and attend classes.

According to her, albinism believes that ‘’one day, they will not be considered as money and instead be treated as other human being in their communities.’’

Advocacy and Human rights Officer from Under-the-Same Sun, Ms Perpetual Senkoro, said that the forum would come up with strategies and recommendations that will address attacks and discrimination faced by people with albinism.

“We are discussing how to implement strategies and guidelines that will address the attacks and other acts of discrimination faced by people with albinism in our societies,’’ Ms Senkoro pledged. The three-day forum will help to raise awareness in the society since we will formulate policies for strict implementation,” she said.